Student Movement Between West Lafayette and Indianapolis 

• The location change request process is now open. To initiate a request, students should contact their advisor or email locationchange@purdue.edu.
• Spring 2025: Requests processed
• Fall 2025: Permanent location changes in effect 

Option 1: Change of location only
Students stay in their current major but change between West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Approval is based on space availability, which is limited in some majors.

Example: Mechanical engineering student in Indianapolis moves to West Lafayette to continue in ME. 

Option 2: Change of major and location
Students change both their major and location. These requests are subject to CODO (change of degree objective) requirements and space availability.

Example: Biomedical engineering student in Indianapolis moves to West Lafayette to pursue agronomy.  

Students can request second majors or minors at either West Lafayette or Indianapolis. If the second major or minor is offered at the student’s primary location, it must be added there. If not available, it can be requested at the non-primary location.

Eligibility for financial aid, housing and course registration priority will be determined based on the location of a student’s primary curriculum. University policy dictates which curriculum is primary. Engineering and computer science are always considered primary curricula.  

Students submit location change requests through their advisor. Each request for location, major or additional curricula is reviewed separately. 

Example: A mechanical engineering student in Indianapolis wants to retain their ME major, add an additional major in math and move to West Lafayette.

• If both requests are approved, the student moves to West Lafayette to pursue both ME and math.
• If the additional major is approved but the location change is not, the student stays in Indianapolis but adds math. The student may need to commute to West Lafayette for some coursework.
• If the location change is approved but the additional major is not, the student moves to West Lafayette to continue in ME only.
• If neither is approved, the student remains in Indianapolis with their current major.

Purdue will assist students who have signed a housing contract and later move between the two locations. If space is available at the new location, Purdue will transfer the student’s housing contract. If housing is unavailable, Purdue will work with the student to provide alternative options, including the possibility of a release from the housing contract.

Housing rates differ from campus to campus and from unit type to unit type. Students are responsible for doing their own research and making informed decisions.

Students in Indianapolis can enroll in classes at both West Lafayette and Indianapolis. There is no limit to the number of credits students in Indianapolis can take in West Lafayette. Priority is granted based on location and availability.